^"'_- ^y] Reviews. I35 



life as field naturalists, and have made a high-water mark, tor 

 years, at least, to come, in a most useful and concise orni- 

 thological reference. There is enough of the purely technical side 

 to give the book a sound standing, while there is a sufficiency of 

 popular matter to please. The classification followed is that of 

 the late Dr. Bowdler Sharpe, as contained in his " Hand-list of 

 Birds," and the joint authors state : — " We gladly acknowledge 

 our deep indebtedness to the various authors nf the magnificent 

 series of (IcscrijHive catalogues ))ublislK'(l by {\\v authorities of 

 the British Museum." 



The work is liberally illustrated with half-tone i^hoto-blocks 

 of l)]rds, nests, and bird scenes, mostly excellent, whether 

 considered technically, ornithologically, or artistically. Three 

 selected blocks are given with this review by courtesy of the 

 ])ublishers (Plates XI. and XII.) Several of the subjects 

 first appeared in this journal, and have been fully acknowledged. 

 A few of the illustrations, notably those of some of the sea-bird 

 scenes, are so nearly alike as to be practically duplicates. This 

 loss of space might have been devoted with advantage to other 

 subjects requiring figures. The volume is further illuminated by 

 four artistic coloured plates of bird groups, reproduced from 

 paintings by Mrs. Ellis Rowan, a cousin of one of the authors. 



Of course, the authors do not claim perfection, and advanced 

 students may consider that here and there are slight errors of 

 omission and commission, which, however, do not exceed the 

 law of average for a work of its class. 



The printer's share of the work is also admirable, and well 

 sustains the reputation of the enterprising publishers, Messrs. 

 Whitcombe and Tombs Limited. The cost of the volume, one 

 guinea, is reasonable. 



["My Tropic Isle," by E. J. Banlield. T. Fisher Unwin, London, W.C] 



Sequels are proverbially unsatisfactory, but no reader of " The 

 Confessions of a Beachcomber " will be disappointed with Mr. 

 Banfield's new volume, which contains a further instalment of 

 romance and delightful nature notes. Dunk Island, since its 

 Crusoe revealed its charms to the world, has become as familiar, 

 by name, at least, as Stevenson's " Treasure Island." And some 

 who read of it come seeking treasure on Mr. Banfield's tropic 

 isle, deeming that no sane man would dwell upon it save for the 

 purpose of winning wealth from hidden minerals. But Mr. Ban- 

 field's confessions reveal the secret. A lover of nature, quietness, 

 and reflection, he finds Dunk Island admirably suited for the 

 life he joys in living. He settled there with his wife in September, 

 1897. and after 14 years' residence is still charmed with his island 

 domain. The first portion of " My Tropic Isle " is a kind of 

 " Journal Intimc " — a mingled web of poetry, philosojihy, and 

 fancy. Mr. Banfield's prose is clean-cut and j^liant. He reminds 



